title: Effectiveness of locking versus dynamic compression plates for diaphyseal forearm fractures.
abstract: This study compares the results of the locking compression plate (LCP) and the dynamic compression plate (DCP) in the treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures in adults and defines the indications for the use of the LCP. Forty-two patients with diaphyseal forearm fractures were retrospectively analyzed. Of those, 22 had been treated with the LCP (LCP group) and 20 had been treated with the DCP (DCP group). The AO/ASIF classification was used to classify the fractures. Patients were assessed using the Grace-Eversmann criteria and the Disabilities of the Arm and Shoulder and Hand questionnaire during the final follow-up. Mean follow-up was 21 months (range, 20-24 months) in the LCP group and 23 months (range, 19-26 months) in the DCP group. Union was achieved in all patients. Mean time to union was 15 weeks (range, 12-25 weeks) in the LCP group and 17 weeks (range, 13-24 weeks) in the DCP group. In each group, 1 patient experienced delayed union, which required no additional surgical intervention. No significant difference was found regarding the time to union between the groups (P>.05). No significant difference existed between the 2 groups in terms of Grace-Eversmann criteria and Disabilities of the Arm and Shoulder and Hand scores (both P>.05). The results of these different fixation methods for forearm fractures in adults are similar. As such, the correct selection and application of surgical technique is more important than the type of plate used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey. ibrahimazboy@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Azboy
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demirtas
authors.forename: Bekir Yavuz
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Uçar
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.forename: Celil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alemdar
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozkul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult